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dab

1
[ dab ]
/ dæb /
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verb (used with object), dabbed, dab·bing.
verb (used without object), dabbed, dab·bing.
to strike lightly; make a dab; pat: She dabbed at the stain on her dress.
to consume cannabis by inhaling the vapor of heated cannabis extract oil. She dabs for a more intense high.
noun
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Origin of dab

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb dabben “to strike, hit,” of uncertain origin; compare Old Icelandic dabba “to strike, tap,” Norwegian dabbe “to shuffle along, walk slowly,” Middle Dutch dabben “to pinch, knead,” German tappen “to feel along, grope”

Other definitions for dab (2 of 4)

dab2
[ dab ]
/ dæb /

noun
any of several flatfishes of the genus Limanda, especially the European flatfish, L. limanda.

Origin of dab

2
First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps special use of dab1

Other definitions for dab (3 of 4)

dab3
[ dab ]
/ dæb /
Slang.

noun
Also called dab hand . a person skilled in something; an expert.
an excellent or extraordinary person or thing.
adjective

Origin of dab

3
First recorded in 1685–95; of uncertain origin

Other definitions for dab (4 of 4)

DAB

Dictionary of American Biography.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dab in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dab (1 of 4)

dab1
/ (dæb) /

verb dabs, dabbing or dabbed
to touch lightly and quickly
(tr) to daub with short tapping strokesto dab the wall with paint
(tr) to apply (paint, cream, etc) with short tapping strokes
noun
a small amount, esp of something soft or moista dab of ink
a small light stroke or tap, as with the hand
(often plural) mainly British a slang word for fingerprint

Word Origin for dab

C14: of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for dab (2 of 4)

dab2
/ (dæb) /

noun
a small common European brown flatfish, Limanda limanda, covered with rough toothed scales: family Pleuronectidae: a food fish
(often plural) any of various other small flatfish, esp floundersCompare sand dab
Also called: patiki a sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebia, common around New Zealand's South Island

Word Origin for dab

C15: from Anglo-French dabbe, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for dab (3 of 4)

dab3
/ (dæb) /

noun
British informal See dab hand

Word Origin for dab

C17: perhaps from dab 1 (vb)

British Dictionary definitions for dab (4 of 4)

DAB

abbreviation for
digital audio broadcasting
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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